The Trust Company Limited v Minister Administering the Crown Lands Act 1989 [2012] NSWLEC 73

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: The Trust Company Limited v Minister Administering the Crown Lands Act 1989 [2012] NSWLEC 73 Hearing dates: 18 - 21 October 2011 Decision date: 05 April 2012 Jurisdiction: Class 3 Before: Pain J Decision: 1. The appeal is dismissed. 2. The Minister's redetermination of rent of $136,400 pa is affirmed pursuant to s 142(6) of the Crown Lands Act 1989. 3. The exhibits are to be returned. 4. Costs are reserved. Catchwords: APPEAL - redetermination of rent of Crown land under Crown Lands Act 1989 - whether onus of proof lies on a party in appeal - role of court in appeal

STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION - construction of principles for redetermining market rent - whether restrictions in lease must be considered when determining market rent

VALUATION - appropriate valuation approach to the disregard of improvements-whether valuation evidence complied with obligation on expert to identify reasoning and assumptions Legislation Cited: Crown Lands Act 1989 s 10, s 141A, s 142, s 143, 145(2) Evidence Act 1995 s 56, s 79 Interpretation Act 1987 s 33 Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 Land and Environment Court Act 1979 s 19(a), s 30 Port Stephens Local Environmental Plan 2000 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 Pt 31, Sch 7 Valuation of Land Act 1916 s 40(2) Valuation of Land Act 1971 (SA) s 25C(3) Cases Cited: AG Robertson Limited v Valuer-General (1952) 18 LGR (NSW) 261 Brewarrana Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Highways (1973) 6 SASR 541 CIC Insurance Ltd v Bankstown Football Club Limited [1997] HCA 2; (1997) 187 CLR 384 Commonwealth Custodial Services Ltd v Valuer-General of New South Wales [2006] NSWLEC 775 Commonwealth Custodial Services Ltd v Valuer-General [2007] NSWCA 365; (2007) 156 LGERA 186 Commonwealth Custodial Services Limited as Trustee For Burwood Trust Fund v Valuer-General (NSW) [2006] NSWLEC 400; (2006) 148 LGERA 38 Cooper Brookes (Wollongong) Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation [1981] HCA 26; (1981) 147 CLR 297 Corlette Concerned Citizens Associated Incorporated v Anchorage Port Stephens Pty Limited and Port Stephens Shire Council (NSWLEC, Hemmings J, 21 September 1990, unreported) Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar [2011] HCA 21; (2011) 243 CLR 588 Fenton Nominees Pty Limited v Valuer-General (1981) 27 SASR 258 Flack v Valuer-General (1952) 18 LGR (NSW) 157 Graham Trilby Pty Ltd v Valuer General [2009] NSWLEC 1087 Gwynvill Properties Pty Ltd v Commissioner for Main Roads (1983) 50 LGRA 322 Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd v Valuer-General [2009] NSWLEC 225 Jessica Investments Pty Ltd v Valuer General [2008] NSWLEC 1375 Leichhardt Municipal Council v Seatainer Terminals Pty Ltd (1981) 48 LGRA 409 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles [2001] NSWCA 305; (2001) 52 NSWLR 705 Maurici v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2003] HCA 8; (2003) 212 CLR 111 Minister for Conservation and Land Management v Barry Dwarte [1992] NSWLEC 74 Mulwala and District Services Club Ltd v Department of Conservation and Land Management [1992] NSWLEC 66 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority [1998] HCA 28; (1998) 194 CLR 355 Redeam Pty Ltd v South Australian Land Commission (1977) 40 LGRA 151 Spencer v Commonwealth [1907] HCA 82; (1907) 5 CLR 418 Spicer v Valuer-General (1963) 10 LGRA 319 Tomago Aluminium Company Pty Limited v Valuer General [2010] NSWLEC 4 Trust Company of Australia Ltd v the Valuer-General [2007] NSWCA 181; (2007) 154 LGERA 437 Valuer-General v Fenton Nominees Pty Ltd [1982] HCA 46; (1982) 150 CLR 160 Texts Cited: A Hyam, The Law Affecting the Valuation of Land in Australia, 4th ed (2009) Federation Press Rawlinsons, Australian Construction Handbook, 29th ed (2011) Rawlinsons Publishing Category: Principal judgment Parties: The Trust Company Limited (Appellant) Minister Administering the Crown Lands Act 1989 (Respondent) Representation: Mr I Hemmings (Appellant) Mr C Birch SC with Mr J Maston (Respondent) Lindsay Taylor Lawyers (Appellant) Crown Solicitor's Office (Respondent) File Number(s): 30107 of 2011